Pentax Japan hikes accessory pricesBy
Mike Tomkins(Tuesday, August 9, 2011 - 17:53 EDT)In a Japanese-language statement on its website, Pentax has announced in increase in pricing for several of its single lens reflex camera accessories in its home market.

Citing rising costs for both raw materials and production, as well as reduced demand for the accessories in question, the company has advised customers that it will be adjusting the manufacturer's suggested retail pricing for 32 products across seven main categories. The new pricing will take effect from Sunday, September 1st, 2011, and applies only in the Japanese market. No statement has been made as regards pricing for these products in other markets where they're available.

Particularly hard-hit is the Diopter Correction Lens Adapter M, for which list pricing will double in just over three weeks time. The Rear Converter-A 1.4x-S and two of Pentax's lens hoods--the PH-SA49 and PH-RA49--are all set for list price increases of nearly 80%. In general though, most products affected by the price adjustment look to have seen a more modest 30-50% increase, and in some cases customers will pay less than 20% more than was previously the case.

In full, the list of affected products, along with their current and revised MSRP pricing is as follows:

Type

Current MSRP(excluding tax)

Revised MSRP(excluding tax)

Percentage Increase (approx.)

Flash

Hot Shoe Adapter 2P

¥2,500(US$32)

¥3,500(US$45)

40%

Hot Shoe Adapter F

¥4,000(US$52)

¥5,500(US$71)

38%

Hot Shoe Adapter FG

¥3,500(US$45)

¥4,500(US$58)

29%

Off-camera Shoe Adapter F

¥4,000(US$52)

¥5,500(US$71)

38%

Extension Cord F5P (0.5m)

¥3,500(US$45)

¥5,000(US$65)

43%

Extension Cord F5P (L, approx. 3m)

¥6,000(US$78)

¥8,500(US$110)

42%

Viewfinder

Eyecup M II

¥1,500(US$19)

¥2,500(US$32)

67%

Diopter Correction Lens Adapter M(-5 ~ +3m-1)

¥1,500(US$19)

¥3,000(US$39)

100%

Extension Tubes

Manual Extension Tube Set B with case

¥30,000 (US$389)

¥44,000 (US$570)

47%

Rear Converter

Rear Converter-A 1.4x-S (with case)

¥31,000 (US$402)

¥55,000 (US$713)

77%

Rear Converter-A 1.4x-L (with case)

¥42,000 (US$544)

¥65,000 (US$843)

55%

Rear Converter-A 2x-S (with case)

¥40,000 (US$519)

¥63,000 (US$817)

58%

Rear Converter-A 2x-L (with case)

¥55,000 (US$713)

¥75,000 (US$972)

36%

Lens Hood

PH-SA49

¥2,000(US$26)

¥3,500(US$45)

75%

PH-RA49

¥2,000(US$26)

¥3,500(US$45)

75%

RH-RC49

¥1,500(US$19)

¥2,500(US$32)

67%

MH-RA49 (black / silver)

¥3,500(US$45)

¥4,500(US$58)

29%

PH-RBA49

¥3,000(US$39)

¥4,000(US$52)

33%

Other

Mount Adapter K

¥3,500(US$45)

¥5,000(US$65)

43%

Lens Adapter K for 67

¥32,000 (US$415)

¥48,000 (US$622)

50%

Lens Adapter K for 645

¥35,000 (US$454)

¥50,000 (US$648)

43%

Lens Cap FA43/1.9, FA77/1.8 Limited (black)

¥2,500(US$32)

¥3,500(US$45)

40%

Lens Cap FA31/1.8 Limited (black / silver)

¥2,500(US$32)

¥3,500(US$45)

40%

Cable Switch CS-105

¥6,000(US$78)

¥7,000 (US$91)

17%

Cable Switch CS-130

¥7,000 (US$91)

¥8,000 (US$104)

14%

Cable Switch CS-205

¥3,500(US$45)

¥5,000(US$65)

43%

645 System

Rear Converter A645 1.4x

¥75,000 (US$972)

¥105,500 (US$1,367)

41%

Rear Converter A645 2x

¥85,000 (US$1,102)

¥115,000 (US$1,490)

35%

Magnifier 645 (with case)

¥25,000 (US$324)

¥40,000 (US$518)

60%

Ref Converter 645 (with case)

¥45,000 (US$583)

¥75,000 (US$972)

67%

Lens Adapter 645 for 67

¥25,000 (US$324)

¥40,000 (US$518)

60%

PH-RBB82

¥4,000(US$52)

¥6,000(US$78)

50%

.

Note: US dollar values are approximate based on conversion of Japanese-market list pricing, and do not relate to US list pricing, nor do they account for exchange rate fluctuations, taxes or duties.